Dictating machine ball-like finger control mounted by a universal joint

ABSTRACT

A control for setting the operating states of a dictating machine or the like. This control has a single ball-like actuating member rotatably mounted in a housing and operatively associated with contact switches for setting the operating states of the machine when the ball-like control is rotated. The housing, in which this actuating member is mounted, which may be the handle of a dictating machine microphone, preferably is adapted to be held by hand. The ball-like actuating member is then positioned on the housing so that it will be conveniently near a finger, preferably a thumb, when the housing is held. A universal joint is secured to said actuating member and pivotally mounted along a pair of axes intersecting at right angles to each other, thereby permitting movement of said actuating member perpendicularly in a second direction of movement from either end of a first direction of movement. With only a small amount of movement, the ball-like control is easily rotated by a finger for setting all of the operating states of the machine.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Kurt Guttlnger Plaflhausen,Switzerland [21] Appl. No. 793,421 [22] Filed Jan. 23, 1969 [45]Patented June 22, 1971 [73] Assignee Dictaphone International A.G.

Wettingen (Aargau), Switzerland [32] Priority Jan. 24, 1968 [33]Switzerland [31] 1067/68 [54] DICTATING MACHINE BALL-LIKE FINGER CONTROLMOUNTED BY A UNIVERSAL JOINT 8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 200/ 157, v 200/6, 179/167 [51] Int. Cl ..1101h 25/04;110111 21/10,H01h 9/06 [50] Field of Search 200/6 A,157,61.85,61.58;179/l67,178, 179,187

[56] References Cited UNITEDVSTATES PATENTS 1,612,729 12/1926 Johnson200/6 (A) 2,478,923 8/1949 lmre 200/157 2,863,010 12/1958 Riedl 20016(A) X 2,933,566 4/1960 Muller et a1. 179/167 3,308,675 3/1967 Jonsson200/6 (A) X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,268,251 5/1968 Germany ZOO/6 (A) PrimaryExaminer-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant ExaminerRobert A. VanderhyeAttorney-Curtis, Morris and Safford ABSTRACT: A control for setting theoperating states of a dictating machine or the like. This control has asingle balllike actuating member rotatably mounted in a housing andoperatively associated with contact switches for setting the operatingstates of the machine when the ball-like control is rotated; Thehousing, in which this actuating member is mounted, which may be thehandle of a dictating machine microphone, preferably is adapted to beheld by hand. The ball-like actuating member is then positioned on thehousing so that it will be conveniently near a finger, preferably athumb, when the housing is held. A universal joint is secured to saidactuating member and pivotally mounted along a pair of axes intersectingat right angles to each other, thereby permitting movement of saidactuating member perpendicularly in a second direction of movement fromeither end of a first direction of movement. With only a small amount ofmovement, the ball-like control is easily rotated by a finger forsetting all of the operating states of the machine.

DICTATING MACHINE BALL-LIKE FINGER CONTROL MOUNTED BY A UNIVERSAL JOINTThe invention relates to a control for a dictating machine, and morespecifically to such a control having manually operable switches forsetting the various operating states of the machine, i.e. off, on,reverse or backspace, dictation and playback or the like.

Microphone devices for dictating machines commonly have an oblonghandle,-or body portion to be held in the hand. The actual microphone isarranged at one end of the device, and is enclosed by a continuoushousing. The switches required to set the operating states of thedictating machine are usually within the handle portion which alsocarries one or more actuating members for these switches. Theseactuating members are adapted to be worked by the thumb which usuallyrests on or adjacent the top of the member or members in the handleportion.

Known microphones of this kind have as a rule two actuating memberswhich are arranged one behind the other lengthwise along the handleportion. One of these actuating members is usually the speaking, i.e.dictating, control member. This speaking control member must be actuatedwhen dictating to the dictating machine, but such actuation does notstart the forward running, i.e. operation, of the dictating machinewhich occurs only by actuation of the second member arranged alongside.Accordingly, to set the machine in operation for recording, the thumbmust execute two movements in succession. If the speaking control is notactivated along with the control for forward running, the machine isswitched for listening, sometimes also referred to as playback."

Moreover, in known microphones the second control, besides being used tocontrol the forward running, i.e. to set the machine in operation(whether it be for dictating to the machine or for replaying forlistening), is also used to switch the machine off. This control is usedalso to reverse, or backspace, the machine. Usually this is accomplishedby a lever or button or the like which can be moved beyond the offposition counter to the action of a spring, from which position thelever or button snaps back into the off position elastically.

The object of the present invention is to simplify the operation of thedictating machine control or controls. In particular the object is toreduce the movement of the thumb required for causing the actuatingmember to close or open the switches which condition the machine fordictation and forward running, which, in hitherto known control devices,required the successive actuation of two members.

According to the invention, this and other objects are achieved by acontrol device in which movable contact parts of all switches forsetting the operating states of the machine are arranged with their endsin the pivot range of an actuating member mounted pivotably in thehandle portion of a microphone or in a like housing. This actuatingmember can be pivoted in radial directions through an angle required forclosing the contacts of the switches which are located radially aboutthe actuating member.

Preferably the actuating member, sometimes called a fingerpiece or afinger control, is a hollow body open on one side. The switch ends bearagainst the edge of the body on its open side. In order for theactuating member to be pivotable in all radial directions, it isadvantageously mounted cardanically, i.e. by a universal joint, in thehandle portion of the microphone.

Preferably, the hollow body is a hemispherical shell with a sphericalsurface which protrudes from a circular cutout in the microphone handleportion. Hence, this actuating member is ball-like in appearance. Themovable contact parts of the switches are located advantageously at thefour end points of two directions of movement of the actuating memberwhich are at right angles to each other and which correspond to switchpositions for setting the operative states of the machine. The actuatingmember advantageously engages movable contact parts located and adaptedto be engaged at the end of a direction of movement. Also, the actuatingmember is pivotable from that end point in a second direction ofmovement perpendicular to the first. The actuating member can move toboth sides in this second direction of motion counter to the action of aspring. Preferably the actuating member snaps back into one of thepositions under the action of a spring. Accordingly, one of the contactsis switchable constantly, i.e. can be constantly maintained, while,additionally thereto, another position can be maintained temporarily.Thus, on the basis of the cardanic suspension, i.e. the universalmounting, of the actuating member, any switch position can be achievedon any desired path, but preferably they are achieved in pathsperpendicular to each other.

The end points in one direction of movement wherein the actuating memberis preferably engaged are advantageously correlated to the switchpositions for the operative states "off" on the one hand and forwardrunning" (the position to set the machine in operation to run forwardeither for dictation or listening) on the other. The end points of thedirection of movement perpendicular thereto are advantageously effectedcounter to the action of a spring and are advantageously correlated tothe switch positions speaking" or dictation" on the one hand and reverseor backspace on the other.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained more fully in thefollowing description with reference to the drawing, in which:

HO. 1 shows in perspective a microphone having a finger controlembodying the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the microphone in FIG. 1 showing thecontrol portion in detail and showing the actuating member of thecontrol in its of? position.

With reference to FIG. 1 the microphone for a dictating machine shownthereinhas a speaking membrane 1 at one end. The section adjacent thismembrane is a handle portion 2. An actuating member 3 is arranged nearthe speaking membrane on the side of the handle portion which is to begripped by hand. This actuating member 3 has an arched, ball-likesurface which protrudes from a cutout in the handle portion. Theactuating member 3 is a unilaterally open hollow body, i.e. it is openon one hollowed-out side. This body preferably is a hemispherical shellwhich is mounted for rotation in the handle portion of the microphonealong one axis of a universal joint. Consequently, because of itsuniversal joint suspension, this actuating member is pivotable in allradial directions. Advantageously, it is pivotable in two directionsperpendicular to each other, which directions are represented in FIG. 1with arrows. Direction 4 denotes the direction of movement for theposition off; 5 denotes the direction of motion for "forward running"; 6denotes the direction for dictation (sometimes called speaking); and 7denotes the direction for reverse or backspace. A control lamp 8 lightsup when the actuating member 3 is placed in the direction 6 fordictation."

According to FIG. 2, the actuating member 3, which is a hemisphericalshell, is mounted by a universal joint in an insert 10 which is firmlyconnected with the handle portion 2 of the microphone. This insert 10has forklike portions which fit, one on each side, over a flat plate 11arranged in the median plane of the hemispherical shell. A shaft 12passes through this plate and is mounted at both its ends in thefork-type portions of the insert 10 which are on both sides of theplate. The hemispherical shell can be pivoted around this shaft 12 inopposing directions, i.e. it may be pivoted from a central position toeither side.

Adjacent each narrow side of plate 11, the hemispherical shell 3 has,firmly connected with it as its edge, a bearing eye 13, through which ashort shaft 14 passes. Each of these shafts 14 extend into the plate 11.The hemispherical shell can be pivoted about these two shafts in adirection perpendicular to the first-mentioned direction of motion aboutthe shaft 12. The median lines of the shafts l2 and 14 intersect atright angles, and consequently the two pivot movements can be carriedout simultaneously.

In FIG. 2, the actuating member 3 is pivoted backward out of the planeof the drawing. With respect to its pivotal movement about the shaft 12it is in a central position.

A movable contact part [6 of contact switch 17, rests against the edge15 of the hemispherical shell. ln FIG. 2 the switch 17 is shown in openposition, because the hemispherical shell is pivoted backward,corresponding to the "otT position. When the actuating member 3 ispivoted about shaft 14, in the direction opposite the illustratedposition, switch 17 is closed, whereby the operative state of themachine forward running is set. in this particular switching arrangementthe operative state forward running for listening," or playback," isset. The shafts 14 together with the actuating member 3 move through asimilar circular path, i.e. a path of about the same angle, when theactuating member is pivoted about the shaft 12.

A movable contact 18 projecting into the range of movement of theactuating member 3 can be moved in two opposing directions from a zero,or start position, by the movement of the actuating member 3 about theshaft 12. Movement in one direction closes a switch 19 and in the otherdirection closes a switch 20.

The end of movable contact 18 is connected to the shaft 14 as shown by asmall spring 21. By the closing of switch 19 the reverse running orbackspacing" of the dictating machine is accomplished. Upon closing ofthe contact pair 20 the machine is switched, or conditioned, forspeaking, or dictating."

By pivoting the actuating member about the shaft 14, when contact 20 isclosed, the movable contact 16 causes switch 17 to close also. In thisswitching arrangement, with both the switches 17 and 20 closed, themachine is set for "forward running" for dictation," or recording. Ifonly switch 17 were closed, as described heretofore in this disclosure,the machine would be conditioned for forward running" for listening, orplayback."

It should be noted that the machine can be conditioned either forplayback" or for dictation" before the switch 17 is closed to start theforward running of the machine.

it should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosurerelates only to a preferred embodiment of the invention and thatnumerous modifications or alterations may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

Whatl claim is:

l. A hand held dictating machine control unit for setting the operativestates of said machine, comprising, a body member adapted to be held inthe palm of the hand and gripped by fingers overlying the body memberand having a plurality of switch means operably connected to saidmachine for setting its operative states, an actuator member foractuating said switch means, a universal joint secured to said actuatormember and pivotally mounted in said body along a pair of axesintersecting at right angles to each other, whereby said actuator memberis mounted in said body for rotation in at least first and seconddirections of movement at right angles to each other, said first andsecond directions of movement having ends defined at the limits to whichsaid actuating member can be rotated, said switch means beingoperatively connected to said actuating member for actuation byselective rotation of said actuating member, said actuating member beingadapted to remain at either one of the ends of said first direction ofmovement to operate a selected one of said switches, and said universaljoint permitting movement of said actuating member perpendicularly insaid second direction of movement from either of said ends of said firstdirection of movement to either of said ends of said second direction ofmovement thereby to actuate another of said switch means and change theoperative state of said machine.

2; A control unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch meansincludes at least three switches positioned in said body member adjacentone of said ends of said second direction of movement, one of saidswitches being actuated by rotation of said actuator member to one ofthe ends of said first direction of movement and the other of saidswitches being actuated respectively by rotation of said actuator memberto the respective ends of said second direction of movement whereby,said one switch and a selected one of said other switches are adapted tobe sequentially and simultaneously actuated by sequential rotation ofsaid actuator member in said second direction of movement to arespective one of the ends thereof and in said first direction ofmovement to said one end thereof.

3. A control unit as described in claim 1 wherein said actuating memberis a hemispherical shell and each said plurality of switch meansincludes a movable contact with an end positioned adjacent the edge ofthe hemispherical shell and adapted to be displaced by said shell toactuate said switch means when said shell is rotated.

4. A control unit as described in claim 1 wherein said actuating memberis moved in said second direction of movement against a bias.

5. A control unit as described in claim 1 wherein a microphone islocated at one end of said housing and said actuating member is ahemispherical shell having its outer rounded portion protruding from anaperture in said housing and located intermediate said housing ends.

6. A control unit as described in claim 5 wherein said second directionof movement is coextensive with a direction along an axis through saidmicrophone and said hemispherical shell, and said machine is conditionedfor dictation when said hemispherical shell is rotated to the end ofmovement in said second direction nearest said microphone, said machineis controlled for backspacing when said shell is rotated to the otherend of said second direction of movement and said machine is conditionedrespectively for off and forward running" when said shell is rotated toan end of said first direction of motion.

7. A hand held dictating machine control unit for setting the operativestates of said machine comprising, a body member adapted to be held inthe palm of the hand and gripped by fingers overlying the body member,an actuator member, a universal joint secured to said actuator memberand pivotally mounted in said body along a pair of axes intersecting atright angles to each other, whereby said actuator member is mounted insaid body for rotation in at least first and second directions ofmovement, said first and second directions of movement having endsdefined at the limits to which said actuating member can be rotated, atleast three switches mounted in said body member adjacent one end ofsaid second direction of movement, each of said switches being adaptedto be selectively and operatively engaged for actuation by said actuatormember by the selective rotation of said member in said first and seconddirections of movement to set the operative states of said machine, oneof said switches being actuated by rotation of said actuator to one ofthe ends of said first direction of movement and the other of saidswitches being actuated respectively by rotation of said actuator memberto the respective ends of said second direction of movement whereby saidone switch and a selected one of said other switches are adapted to besequentially and simultaneously actuated by sequential rotation of saidactuator member in said second direction of movement to a respective oneof said ends thereof and in said first direction of movement to said oneof the ends thereof.

8. A control unit as defined in claim 7 including a first contact memberfor said one switch adapted to be engaged by said actuator to close saidone switch upon rotation of said member to said one end of said firstdirection of movement and a second contact member, for said otherswitches operatively connected to said actuator member to selectivelyclose said other switches upon selective rotation of said actuator tothe respective ends of said second direction of movement, (said actuatormember being adapted to maintain engagement with said second contactmember during movement of the actuator member in said first direction ofmovement to sequentially and simultaneously actuate a selected one ofsaid second switches 563 said one switch to set the operative state ofsaid machine.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE. OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,586,807 Dated June 22 1971 Inventor(s) Kurt Guttinger It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, Claim 8, line 71, delete line 76, delete Signed and sealedthis 28th day of December 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MJFLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attestingr, Officer ActingCommissioner of Patents ORM PO-IOSO (IO-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-F'59 fi USGOVERNMENT PRINTING OFHCEi IBIS 0*366-31

1. A hand held dictating machine control unit for setting the operativestates of said machine, comprising, a body member adapted to be held inthe palm of the hand and gripped by fingers overlying the body memberand having a plurality of switch means operably connected to saidmachine for setting its operative states, an actuator member foractuating said switch means, a universal joint secured to said actuatormember and pivotally mounted in said body along a pair of axesintersecting at right angles to each other, whereby said actuator memberis mounted in said body for rotation in at least first and seconddirections of movement at right angles to each other, said first andsecond directions of movement having ends defined at the limits to whichsaid actuating member can be rotated, said switch means beingoperatively connected to said actuating member for actuation byselective rotation of said actuating member, said actuating member beingadapted to remain at either one of the ends of said first direction ofmovement to operate a selected one of said switches, and said universaljoint permitting movement of said actuating member perpendicularly insaid second direction of movement from either of said ends of said firstdirection of movement to either of said ends of said second direction ofmovement thereby to actuate another of said switch means and change theoperative state of said machine.
 2. A control unit as defined in claim 1wherein said switch means includes at least three switches positioned insaid body member adjacent one of said ends of said second direction ofmovement, one of said switches being actuated by rotation of saidactuator member to one of the ends of said first direction of movementand the other of said switches being actuated respectively by rotationof said actuator member to the respective ends of said second directionof movement whereby, said one switch and a selected one of said otherswitches are adapted to be sequentially and simultaneously actuated bysequential rotation of said actuator member in said second direction ofmovement to a respective one of the ends thereof and in said firstdirection of movement to said one end thereof.
 3. A control unit asdescribed in claim 1 wherein said actuating member is a hemisphericalshell and each said plurality of switch means includes a movable contactwith an end positioned adjacent the edge of the hemispherical shell andadapted to be displaced by said shell to actuate said switch means whensaid shell is rotated.
 4. A control unit as described in claim 1 whereinsaid actuating member is moved in said second direction of movementagainst a bias.
 5. A control unit as described in claim 1 wherein amicrophone is located at one end of said housing and said actuatingmember is a hemispherical shell having its outer rounded portionprotruding from an aperture in said housing and located intermediatesaid housing ends.
 6. A control unit as described in claim 5 whereinsaid second direction of movement is coextensive with a direction alongan axis through said microphone and said hemispherical shell, and saidmachine is conditioned for dictation when said hemispherical shell isrotated to The end of movement in said second direction nearest saidmicrophone, said machine is controlled for backspacing when said shellis rotated to the other end of said second direction of movement andsaid machine is conditioned respectively for ''''off'''' and ''''forwardrunning'''' when said shell is rotated to an end of said first directionof motion.
 7. A hand held dictating machine control unit for setting theoperative states of said machine comprising, a body member adapted to beheld in the palm of the hand and gripped by fingers overlying the bodymember, an actuator member, a universal joint secured to said actuatormember and pivotally mounted in said body along a pair of axesintersecting at right angles to each other, whereby said actuator memberis mounted in said body for rotation in at least first and seconddirections of movement, said first and second directions of movementhaving ends defined at the limits to which said actuating member can berotated, at least three switches mounted in said body member adjacentone end of said second direction of movement, each of said switchesbeing adapted to be selectively and operatively engaged for actuation bysaid actuator member by the selective rotation of said member in saidfirst and second directions of movement to set the operative states ofsaid machine, one of said switches being actuated by rotation of saidactuator to one of the ends of said first direction of movement and theother of said switches being actuated respectively by rotation of saidactuator member to the respective ends of said second direction ofmovement whereby said one switch and a selected one of said otherswitches are adapted to be sequentially and simultaneously actuated bysequential rotation of said actuator member in said second direction ofmovement to a respective one of said ends thereof and in said firstdirection of movement to said one of the ends thereof.
 8. A control unitas defined in claim 7 including a first contact member for said oneswitch adapted to be engaged by said actuator to close said one switchupon rotation of said member to said one end of said first direction ofmovement and a second contact member, for said other switchesoperatively connected to said actuator member to selectively close saidother switches upon selective rotation of said actuator to therespective ends of said second direction of movement, (said actuatormember being adapted to maintain engagement with said second contactmember during movement of the actuator member in said first direction ofmovement to sequentially and simultaneously actuate a selected one ofsaid second switches and said one switch to set the operative state ofsaid machine.)